Strategic Voluntarism in Action

Last week, we held our 23^rd Annual Golf and Tennis Outing to support the Moorestown Education Foundation (MEF).  The mission of the MEF is to support and advance the excellence of the Moorestown Township Public Schools through the development and funding of innovative programs and initiatives, which create significant, widespread and lasting impact on the education of the children in the district. We have funded programs such as a new television and media studio, ESL age appropriate library books, maker spaces, an after school lounge for middle school students with no after school safe spaces, and supported teams of students working with N.A.S.A. on innovative solutions. These are just a few of the many programs that have been piloted and supported by the MEF.

Personally, it is one of my favorite volunteer activities because we are positively impacting students and building a better future for them. I serve as a Board Trustee and Chairperson of the Governance Committee. In this capacity, I am able to share my leadership, governance, project management, financial, and communication skills. It is a great example of strategic voluntarism. The mission of the organization engages me and I am able to contribute my business expertise to improving the organization allowing the group to maximize its mission.  At HRComputes, we encourage employees to engage with a not for profit and give work time and financial support to promote volunteering.

Often, I am asked what I mean when I discuss the concept of strategic voluntarism and this example highlights many of the concepts. Sustainable Development Goal #4 is Quality Education and this goal directly impacts many of the other goals such as #1 No Poverty, #2 Zero Hunger, #3 Good Health and Wellbeing, #5 Gender Equality, and # 8 Decent Work. Education is a foundational pillar to business success, as we all need highly skilled workforces to compete globally. Creating a strategic voluntarism program allows for employee input and selection and it leverages existing skills and competencies while providing opportunity for future growth. As the over 450 hours of service contributed in 2017 indicates, voluntarism is part of our culture. Allowing employees to use work time to contribute to their selected not for profit builds engagement.

If you would like to have a conversation on building an impactful strategic voluntarism program, please contact me.